Stephen
Lifetime Member
Still collecting.......
Posts: 2,718
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Post by Stephen on Sept 27, 2012 12:27:13 GMT -5
I bought a trio of Braun Paxette 35mm Cameras recently, but none had the original accessories or the extra lenses, but whilst browsing through a local secondhand shop, after buying an Industar for a Zorki, in good condition, I decided to search again the see if the Zorki was there, ...it isn't.... but a very shabby and corroded viewfinder was, at 50 Pence...made an offer and got it for 25pence. Braun Paxette Viewfinder. I thought it resembled the Braun viewfinder, but could not see any trademarks, but when home a clean up revealed it is indeed Braun. It is the dual view, wide angle and telephoto, although the telephoto cap with the smaller aperture is long missing. Braun Trademark under the corrosion. The glass is in good condition, no fungus, no marks, and optically it works 100%. As it is aluminium rather that Mazak, the corrosion is not too bad, it will need Papering on all surfaces with very fine grit abrasive, and a session in the lathe to restore the front surround. the front plate in the recess can be painted matt black, and a cap turned in aluminium to make the telephoto mask. Should restore all right, even the engraving should survive the clean up. Useful viewfinder, even better was the Steinhal made version for Paxette, with multi lens, but they are rare and expensive. Stephen.
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mickeyobe
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Resident President
Posts: 7,280
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Post by mickeyobe on Sept 29, 2012 17:21:51 GMT -5
I am sure that just looking at it would scare me off.
Mickey
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Stephen
Lifetime Member
Still collecting.......
Posts: 2,718
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Post by Stephen on Sept 30, 2012 13:59:49 GMT -5
The Braun Paxette telephoto and wide angle viewfinder cleaned up, the front still needs black paint, and the new cap for the longer 80mm lens made, which simply reduces the window size to suit. There is a small bolt head underneath that retains the cap firmly. The metal was not too bad after it was papered with fine emery, the base is a touch corroded, but underneath and out of sight. The optics are clean and bright now. Useful viewfinder for the Braun Paxette. Fortunately a reasonable drawing of the cap style is in the original Braun instruction book, I expect it was made from pressed aluminium, but the replacement will be lathe turned from aluminium bar. The Paxette itself cleaned up well, all that is wrong is the shutter speed scale, with was litho printed on aluminium, and not engraved, so the lettering wore away in use. I will look into a photo etched copy being made, possibly in brass with a nickel plated finish, or an engraved version, in nickel silver metal, and the engraving filled with paint. The screws retaining the plate are in 100% condition, so it would look original. Stephen.
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hansz
Lifetime Member
Hans
Posts: 697
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Post by hansz on Sept 30, 2012 14:07:00 GMT -5
Real nice work! Chapeau! Hans
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